Kukla's Korner Hockey

Here's the deal about the news of next season's cap increasing to between $40 and $45M: The 2006-07 cap would have increased to $40.95M even if revenues had merely met this season's conservative $1.8B projection.
That's because there's an annual five-percent bump on revenues built into the cap as per the CBA. In other words, the only way the cap would not increase for next season is if revenues are reported at $1.714B.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman would never allow that. Why not? Because Bettman would never allow the PA membership to become inflamed to the point where junior partner Ted Saskin's leadership would be questioned by anywhere approaching a critical mass of the union...
Slap Shots has obtained figures from a management source that tell a different story about the health of the burned NHL village.
According to the NHL gate report of Nov. 15, the Panthers distribute just under 4,000 complimentary tickets per game. The Blackhawks, who operate in the dark ages, give away just over 3,100 tickets a game.
Dallas, once one of the league's strongest markets, gives away 2,700 freebies a night. The Bruins, who have descended into disgrace under Jeremy Jacobs' ownership, also give away 2,700 tickets a night, per the document.